By GAIL TOUSSAINT, Gazette contributor I see it every day. Someone behind the wheel looking at their cellphone and not the road. Do you want to know how I spot them? They are unable to stay in their lane, veering into mine. This makes my blood pressure soar…they callously have a complete disregard for my … Continue reading OPINION: Texting while driving | The epidemic we’re ignoring
Category: COMMUNITY VOICES
Contributed news, opinion and feature stories
How Maine towns are regulating development in flood zones
By EMMETT GARTNER, The Maine Monitor Early last spring, while still cleaning up the wreckage of devastating winter storms, southern Maine towns began drafting new rules governing how they’d rebuild or develop on stretches of land that were widely inundated months before. The process coincided with the adoption of new federal flood maps and is … Continue reading How Maine towns are regulating development in flood zones
OPINION: New idea for an old sign: move it
By JAMES KRAUSE, Gazette contributor In reference to the old gas station sign located at the Five Points intersection: Firstly, let me say that I love the idea as well as the submitted artwork. I can honestly say that as silly as it is, yes that sign is a landmark to the city as much … Continue reading OPINION: New idea for an old sign: move it
Nominations being sought for 2025 Biddeford Hall of Fame
According to a recent press release, he Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center (BCHC) is now seeking nominations for the 2025 Biddeford Hall of Fame. Now in its eighth year, the annual BCHC program recognizes and celebrates citizens of Biddeford or others who have contributed to the history, heritage, and culture of the city or the … Continue reading Nominations being sought for 2025 Biddeford Hall of Fame
‘For Biddeford’ event draws 150 volunteers
By JUSTIN SWEENEY, New Life Church, Lead Pastor (Photos by Joe McKenney) On Saturday, July 12, New Life Church hosted its 8th annual “For Biddeford” event, a citywide serve day where close to 150 volunteers spread out across Biddeford to complete 10 service projects to bless the community. For Biddeford is built on a simple … Continue reading ‘For Biddeford’ event draws 150 volunteers
What’s happening in Augusta: Cleaning Out the Notebook
By Rep. MARC MALON I view this past week in Augusta as transitional. Committees, including my own, finished their work on bills and the bulk of the activity began moving from the committee room to the floors of each chamber. The week began on a stressful note personally. I went to the Memorial Day ceremony … Continue reading What’s happening in Augusta: Cleaning Out the Notebook
BMS Math Teams Undefeated
By KAREN GARNETT Biddeford Middle School’s (BMS) fifth and sixth-grade Math Meet teams earned first place at all four meets this season, finishing undefeated in the Southern Maine Elementary Math League. The seventh-grade team also delivered a strong performance in the Southern Maine Math League, consistently placing in the top half of competitors across four … Continue reading BMS Math Teams Undefeated
Councilor offers inside view of Biddeford’s budget
Editor's note: The following is a response that Biddeford City Council President Liam LaFountain sent to a resident who expressed concerns about this year's municipal budget. By Liam LaFountain Thank you for taking the time to write and for your thoughtful engagement with this year’s city budget. Your questions about affordability, sustainability, and fiscal discipline are essential. … Continue reading Councilor offers inside view of Biddeford’s budget
BHS Odyssey of the Mind Team: State Champions
Three of the eight Biddeford teams placed in the State Competition; two move on to the World Finals By KAREN GARNETT Among the 71 teams representing Divisions I, II, and III at the Maine Odyssey of the Mind (OM) State Finals Tournament on April 5, three of the eight Biddeford teams placed in the Top … Continue reading BHS Odyssey of the Mind Team: State Champions
Biddeford Marching Arts named New England champions
Blackout Percussion earns first place while Blizzard Winds secures second place. By KAREN GARNETT Biddeford’s Marching Arts program is closing out a remarkable season with top honors at the New England Scholastic Band Association (NESBA) Winter Percussion Finals. BlackOut Percussion earned first place, while Blizzard Winds secured a strong third-place finish, solidifying Biddeford’s standing as … Continue reading Biddeford Marching Arts named New England champions
New Biddeford group focuses on coastal preservation
By Tom McPheeters, Special to the Biddeford Gazette More than a year after a catastrophic storm decimated Biddeford’s beaches, coastal properties and roads, community organizations are calling for the city to move beyond cleanup and embrace a plan that would prepare coastal beaches and dunes for the next big storm. Armed with fresh research on … Continue reading New Biddeford group focuses on coastal preservation
Political gamesmanship threatens vulnerable Mainers
By HENRY INGWERSEN, State senator The last time I wrote to you, I spoke about the importance of MaineCare, our state’s version of the Medicaid program. MaineCare provides health care to low-income families and children, people with disabilities and pregnant women, and is overwhelmingly supported by Maine people. I also wrote about how Maine faces … Continue reading Political gamesmanship threatens vulnerable Mainers
Councilor explains Biddeford budget process
By Liam LaFountain Every year, the city makes difficult choices about where to invest tax dollars — from public safety and road repairs to parks and essential services. Budget season is when those decisions take shape. The city budget is more than numbers — it’s a fiscal statement of what Biddeford values and how much … Continue reading Councilor explains Biddeford budget process
Local students shine at York County Spelling Bee
By KAREN GARNETT Local students demonstrated their spelling prowess at the York County Spelling Bee, held earlier this month at Massabesic Middle School. Twelve talented spellers in grades 5-8 from schools across southern Maine, including Biddeford, Saco, Bonny Eagle, and Wells, competed for the county title in a contest that came down to an intense … Continue reading Local students shine at York County Spelling Bee
Igniting student passions
By KAREN GARNETT Discovering what excites and motivates students can be a game-changer in education, boosting engagement, academic performance, and overall well-being. This month, Biddeford High School (BHS) hosted “Passion Classes,” a special day filled with a unique curriculum designed to help students explore new hobbies and interests while fostering meaningful connections with teachers. For … Continue reading Igniting student passions
AUGUSTA RECAP: State Rep. Marc Malon
By Rep. MARC MALON This week at the Statehouse was front-loaded and compact. Many of my colleagues traveled on the biannual Maine Development Foundation tour across the state, learning about economic development particularly in Penobscot and Aroostook Counties from Wednesday through Friday. I’ve always wanted to attend, but it’s difficult to manage with family obligations. … Continue reading AUGUSTA RECAP: State Rep. Marc Malon
Biddeford’s arts community gets a big boost: Five Questions
(This is the first of hopefully many more 'Five Questions" interviews with a variety of people throughout the Biddeford Community) For nearly 14 years, Delilah Poupore has been at the helm of the Heart of Biddeford, a non-profit organization with a mission to “foster a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable downtown for residents, businesses and visitors.” … Continue reading Biddeford’s arts community gets a big boost: Five Questions
Center of Technology Awarded $2,500 to Invest in STEM Programs
By KAREN GARNETT Biddeford School Department On January 17, the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology (BRCOT) was presented with a $2,500 STEM Talent Pipeline Grant from We Work for Health. This grant is designated for use with STEM programs: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. During the grant presentation, four students from BRCOT spoke about their … Continue reading Center of Technology Awarded $2,500 to Invest in STEM Programs
FEATURE: McArthur Library partners to help fight cancer with special event
By JEFF CABRAL Special to the Gazette This is a story where community crosses all kinds of lines and partnerships are formed to benefit the greater good; a story that could only take place in New England, which often feels like a small town itself. Biddeford resident Jessica Johnson has been continuing her mother Dorothy's … Continue reading FEATURE: McArthur Library partners to help fight cancer with special event
OPINION: Biddeford’s Homeless: A volunteer’s perspective
By Tom McPheeters Special to the Biddeford Gazette I usually arrive for my shift at the Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center a little before 9 a.m. to get coffee going, but on this Monday, I am also delivering a large pan of American Chop Suey. Since I am not a native Mainer, I have no … Continue reading OPINION: Biddeford’s Homeless: A volunteer’s perspective
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